Building a fire pit

[ducks4you]

I like that. I started buying materials. I got a 30% discount on broken pavers--this is, after all, rural backyard property, not a suburban project across my neighbor's fence--and have enough at writing for ~8' x 12' area, but, of course this won't be enough for my projecct. I put a bit more thought into this and said, WHY does it have to round? It's going to be a ~4' diameter square "ring". I'm using rectangular materials and it should be pretty easy to square off around a square area. DH suggested that I used cinder blocks and stagger them, so as to get an air flow. We'll play with it to get it right. First stage is hopefully today or Saturday, measure and till the new area, which already has a dip in it. I want to level it out, and then make a small slope from the edges of the "ring" to the middle to encourage rain and snow to go to the middle and drain.
I was at Menard's (Midwest discount hardware/everything else store) yesterday and went window shopping.
Cinder blocks
8 x 8 x 16 --$1.33
8 x 8 x 8 -- 98 cents
6 x 8 x 16 -- $1.19
8 x 8 x 16 (solid) -- $2.48
12 x 8 x 16 -- 84 cents
Others
2-2/8" x 4" x 13" Bullnose Paver -- 49 cents
16 x 16 cement pavers -- $3.28
I like to go to the back and see what is being clearanced out. They have such a time inventorying that going to their building desk doesn't help. I just take a notebook and extra fine Sharpie with me and write down approximate quantities on hand, then the price, then the SKU#, and THEN I go to their desk. I have gotten paving bricks for 5/$1.00 and better in the past. Only downside is that I have to load them and unload them.
Those are good days to eat my Wheaties!!!
Thanks so much for the replies and I'd appreciate any more ideas. I will take pictures and post them as this project progresses.

 

[wyoDreamer]

Draining all the water to the center will put it in your fire area. It may be difficult to build a fire if the fire hole is damp. Are you planning on a fire pit on the ground or are you going to use a raised fire bowl?

 

[ducks4you]

No bowl. On the ground. I hadn't thought about the drainage. Guess it should be level, then, THANKS!!
Just an update: After researching materials I bought some 16' x 16' pavers and I was going to use cinder blocks around it. Then, I did some reading, and discovered that they can soak up liquid and crack, so they don't make a good material for this. That's ok--I used the 16 cinder blocks for another project and they're now used up.
I caved and bought a firepit kit from Menard's.
https://www.menards.com/main/heatin...ating/incindio-fire-pit/p-2389768-c-12918.htm
Just finished burning a huge heap of trash trees, paper and stuff so by Wednesday I should have enough ash. I will finish the last till of the 12' x 12' patio/firepit area. As you know, if you severely till soil you actually help it to compact. I need to rake and level the area. Then, I'm going to spread the ashes on top. (Talk to the folks over at TEG about adding wood ash to soil. It hardens it up and helps to retard vegetation growth.)
Tomorrow me and the Dodge Cummins doolie are going back to buy 54 more 16' x 16' patio pavers. They are ~$3.00/each, with the rebate, so affordable.
https://www.menards.com/main/landsc...-cobblestone-patio-block/p-1965447-c-5785.htm
and
https://www.menards.com/main/landsc...kway/16-cobblestone-patio-block/p-1965448.htm
I'm cringing bc ALL projects just seem to cost more than you THINK that they will at the start. BUT, we burn our paper trash and pruning and weed cleanup practically every week. This way, we won't have to put our chairs in any mud. I think I'll be pleased with the outcome.
As USUAL, it 's all about the preparation.
Next posts will be pictures!!! Wish me luck and remind me to eat my Wheaties this Wednesday...before I start. =b

 

[wyoDreamer]

I can't wait to see your pictures.
DH is starting to plan his fire pit project.

 

[ducks4you]

Been having trouble leveling. The spot is right, but it has a dip...AND, I've been busy. (I'm an independent contractor and the jobs have been coming in.)
I am determined to finish this by next Monday. I have rebar pieces from the rotten landscape timbers a previous owner put in along walkways, so that I can put this as parallel as possible to the fencing to the east and the fencing to the south, measuring and using rope. You KNOW how you will always kick yourself if it looks at all crooked.
Guess my shovel is going to groan this week.

 

[ducks4you]

JUST about ready to post pictures. The fire pit is assembled, and some 20 pavers are in their spots. I'm trying to unload all of the rest from my truck tonight. Nothing like a big, heavy project to get you back into shape...or to shape your back--can't tell which one applies to this project.

 

[Denim Deb]

Or, to throw your back out!